Ryder Cup Vice-Captains: The 2025 Staff and Their Work with the Captain

Both teams brought five vice-captains to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Luke Donald led Europe and Keegan Bradley led the United States, each supported by a named staff. Golf Monthly’s captain and vice-captain guide identifies the ten assistants.

The Bethpage vice-captains

Woodland completed Bradley’s staff as the fifth appointment. The official announcement also lists Furyk, Kisner, Simpson and Snedeker. Vice-captaincy does not require a previous Ryder Cup playing appearance: Kisner’s first involvement in the event came in this role.

Molinari’s work with Donald

When appointing Edoardo Molinari, Donald described the areas where he would use his assistance: qualification criteria, how potential players’ skills suited Bethpage, and the formation of foursomes and four-ball partnerships. The DP World Tour’s appointment report records Donald’s explanation of that work.

Molinari’s statistical analysis supported the captain as the team developed. The example gives a concrete view of vice-captaincy: an assistant can bring expertise to selection and pairing discussions, while the captain leads the team.

The captain’s final decisions

Partner sessions require four two-player pairings, leaving four of the twelve players out of each session. Sunday uses all twelve in singles. Captains submit their singles orders independently, so the order determines the opponents once the lists are matched. Golf Monthly’s explanation of the blind draw covers that procedure.

Vice-captains form part of the staff that supports these decisions. The captain’s role guide explains selection, pairings and the singles order.